M&M to double local hiring in US for farm business

HOUSTON, TEXAS: Anand Mahindra-led Mahindra group will double the number of American employees at its North American farm equipment business, the move coming at a time when President Donald Trump has asked companies to increasingly hire locals to manage business in the US.

Mahindra USA (MUSA), that manages the group's tractor and farm utility vehicles (UTVs) business, is also considering setting up a factory in America in line with the expansion of business, which has grown nearly five-fold over the last few years.

MUSA recorded revenues of $600 million last year as it sold 32,000 units, with tractors accounting for majority 25,000 units, while the rest being farm and recreational utility vehicles (UTVs), Mani Iyer, president of the company said here. “We have a very profitable business here, and it makes sense down the line to put up a factory ,“ Iyer said, speaking about the company's growing presence in the North American region, including Canada. The company -which sources tractor and other equipment from India, Japan and Korea -currently has five distribution and assembly centres in the US, and one in Canada. These centres are used to service the business in the region.

Mahindra employs 250 people directly. Total manpower involved is around 2,000 people, considering indirect linkages at dealerships and other partners. “We are an American company , with our headquarters in India. As many as 99% of our people are Americans and we are seen as a local brand.“

Iyer said most of the new recruits will be native Americans. “You have to be a local company , with a localised brand, and local folks, and localised products.“ MUSA is the third-largest tractor seller in the US behind John Deere and Kubota Tractors and sells tractors running up to 120 horse power through a 550-strong dealer network. Around 3040% of the raw materials are sourced locally , and Iyer said sourced locally , and Iyer said this will go up gradually.